TBS Personalities Bill Engvall and Jim Gaffigan Headline New Broadband Projects Tied to TBS Original Series
http://www.tbs.com/video/
Engvall Stars in ASK BILL, Companion Piece to Hit Sitcom THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW
Jim Gaffigan Headlines ANDY'S CAR, Promotion for Acclaimed Series MY BOYS
TBS is pumping up its broadband offerings by launching two new projects on tbs.com tied into TBS's original series. ASK BILL ties into TBS's hit series THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW with a collection of segments featuring Bill Engvall (Blue Collar TV) as the title character offering humorous advice to viewers. And ANDY'S CAR promotes TBS's acclaimed series MY BOYS through comedic vignettes set in a car owned by one of the show's characters, Andy, played by Jim Gaffigan (That �70s Show, Ed). Both projects, created by the digital production unit of Turner Entertainment Networks' Content Creation Group, can be found at tbs.com by accessing the TBS broadband video player, which delivered 5.3 million video streams in July, the player's best month since launching last fall.
"These two projects demonstrate one aspect of our multi-prong strategy when it comes to broadband content," said Jeff Gregor, chief marketing officer for TBS, TNT and TCM. "The broadband extensions for THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW and MY BOYS allow us to promote these shows by creating new, original, very funny content not available through the linear network. In addition, their presence on tbs.com will help give our already successful TBS broadband player an opportunity to reach ever greater heights."
ASK BILL is a companion piece to TBS's hit series THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW. In it, family counselor Bill Pearson (Engvall) reads letters from people seeking his input on issues in their daily lives. He then offers pointedly humorous advice in return. Eight ASK BILL installments have been produced to date, with a new segment appearing on tbs.com each week.
ANDY'S CAR promotes TBS's critically acclaimed MY BOYS through a series of humorous segments based on the premise that Andy (Gaffigan), PJ Franklin's loveable brother now living in the suburbs, has a lot of time to spend in his car commuting. This promotional clips feature characters from the series sitting in Andy's car and shooting the breeze about everyday life. One such segment includes Andy and Mike, played by Jamie Kaler, wolfing down fast food while pontificating on its nutritional properties. There are currently nine installments of ANDY'S CAR available at tbs.com.
In addition to these broadband tie-ins, users can also check out episodes of both MY BOYS and THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW through the TBS broadband video player.
THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW, which airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS and recently premiered with one of ad-supported cable's Top 3 sitcom telecasts of all time, casts the Blue Collar Comedy headliner as Bill Pearson, a family counselor whose own family is unpredictable, somewhat absurd and a little mixed up themselves. Nancy Travis (Becker, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) plays his wife, Susan, who is trying to make sure their three children turn out all right. Filling out the rest of the family, Jennifer Lawrence (Devil You Know) plays Bill and Susan's teenage daughter, Lauren, while their sons are played by Graham Patrick Martin (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as Trent, a sports and video game enthusiast, and Skyler Gisondo (Huff) as Bryan, a musically talented neat freak with a pet snake. Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live) and Steve Hytner co-star as Bill's best friends. The series, which premiered with one of ad-supported cable's top 3 sitcom telecasts of all time, is written and created by Engvall and Michael Leeson (The War of the Roses), who also serve as executive producers with J.P. Williams (Blue Collar TV) and director James Widdoes (Two and a Half Men). The series is being produced by TBS with Leeson's Welladay, Inc. and Williams' Parallel Entertainment.
MY BOYS, which airs Mondays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS and which recently returned with new episodes and higher-than-ever deliveries among young adults, features Jordana Spiro (Must Love Dogs) as a 20-something sports writer who spends a lot of time with her cadre of male friends. Last year, the show saw PJ and her boys through some humorous, yet realistic, times including on-the-job romance, a dating slump, the value of honesty in friendship and uncovering secrets kept from close friends. This summer promises more poker nights at PJs, beers at Crowley's Bar and amusing situations from the whole gang. Andy (Gaffigan) will struggle with his move to the suburbs and another big bombshell from Meredith. Mike (Jamie Kaler � The Family Stone), having exhausted every means to kill time while unemployed, strikes ups an interesting business alliance. Kenny (Michael Bunin � Scrubs) continues to search for love in all the wrong places. Bobby (Kyle Howard � Related, Orange County), who has comfortably settled in as one of the gang, reveals a shocking secret of his own. Brendan (Reid Scott � American Dreams) goes through a disturbing personality change that requires the entire group to get him back on track. Stephanie (Kellee Stewart � Guess Who?) runs into some financial trouble this year but is lucky in love. The show is executive-produced by creator Betsy Thomas (Run of the House), Jamie Tarses, Gavin Polone (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Gilmore Girls) and Eric Gilliland (Roseanne, That �70s Show). It comes to TBS from Pariah and 2 Out Rally Productions, Inc., in association with Sony Pictures Television.
TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's "very funny" network. It serves as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, King of Queens, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series like My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, 10 Items or Less and Frank TV; first-run series like Tyler Perry's House of Payne; specials and special events, such as Funniest Commercials of the Year and The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.
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